India’s Satcom Rules May Force Starlink to Reveal Owners of Confiscated Kits

Elon Musk’s Starlink must obtain a satcom permit from the Indian government, which will require the company to share information, including details of users or owners of satellite kits seized in the country, particularly in the North‑East region in recent months, which the US company was previously unwilling to share, The Economic Times reported.

Indian security agencies have expressed concerns over the misuse of Starlink devices in India, particularly in border areas like the North‑East, where devices were seized from insurgents and smugglers. These incidents, including a seizure in Manipur and a drug bust in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, highlight fears that Starlink’s satellite internet could bypass government‑imposed internet shutdowns, posing national security risks.

Starlink has been reluctant to share user details, citing data‑privacy laws, and has directed Indian authorities to channel requests through US law enforcement or international protocols. This lack of cooperation has heightened scrutiny, with the Ministry of Home Affairs prompting the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to investigate. The Indian government is now mandating that Starlink share information on seized devices as a condition of its satcom permit, alongside establishing a local control centre and ensuring real‑time monitoring to address security concerns.

DoT Investigation

In March, the MHA directed the DoT to investigate Starlink’s non‑compliance with disclosure obligations regarding seized satellite kits, as the company insisted that Indian security agencies route requests through US law enforcement or international protocols. The DoT has not yet submitted its report to the MHA. However, officials state that with Starlink now holding a satcom licence, the company is obligated to provide details about users or owners of seized devices, particularly in sensitive areas like the North‑East. Failure to comply could result in a show‑cause notice and potential revocation of the licence.

Satcom Monitoring

The Indian government is prioritising national security by allocating ₹ 900 crore for satcom‑monitoring facilities amid concerns over foreign satcom operators entering the Indian market. Starlink, the third provider to secure a satcom licence after Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio, must still obtain approval from the Indian space regulator IN‑SPACe and secure spectrum allocation before launching commercial operations.

Multiple Indian ministries are collaborating to safeguard national security amid the rise of commercial satellite‑communication services, particularly from low‑Earth‑orbit providers like Starlink, whose impact remains uncertain due to their novelty. Security agencies seized operational Starlink terminals in India’s North‑East and sought details on their owners. Starlink’s initial refusal to share this information, citing US data‑privacy laws and directing inquiries through US law enforcement or international protocols, has led to heightened scrutiny. With Starlink now holding a satcom licence, following Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio, it is mandated to provide such details to avoid penalties, including potential licence revocation.